(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

STARS Access

Family members of 2017/18 Humboldt Broncos applauding push for Nipawin Heliport

Nov 10, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A fundraising launch event for the Nipawin Heliport Project was hosted by the Twin Lakes District Planning Commission (TLDPC) on Monday at the Nipawin Evergreen Centre.

Multiple organizations were in attendance during the night, as funds and exposure were raised for the initiative.

Among those who were supporting the event was Carol Brons. Brons’ daughter Dayna was the athletic therapist for the 2017/18 Humboldt Broncos. Dayna was one of the 16 who tragically passed away due to the bus crash.

According to her mother, she was transported from Tisdale (instead of Nipawin) by STARS to Saskatoon on the night of the collision.

“It would be a huge benefit for the communities by Nipawin to have that helipad. STARS is such a vital part of our communities in the prairies, and to have them be able to fly right to the hospital and transport patients directly from the hospital would be amazing.”

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Brons was at the fundraising launch as both a representative of the family members and the Humboldt Strong Community Foundation (HSCF).

The HSCF has previously donated significant funds to Nipawin for a variety of things, including a fire rescue truck, and Brons believes of that $100,000-$200,000, about $70,000 remains for the heliport.

“Communities around the world supported the Humboldt families and the community strong foundation, so having the money being used for this is going to be great for everybody, and we’re thankful that the money is going to be used in such a great way.”

STARS and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) were also in attendance to show their support and list the several benefits of the project.

Meanwhile, several large donations from within the Twin Lakes District were acknowledged and appreciated, as much more work is still left to do to reach the necessary fundraising goal of $700,000.

Donations have included $20,000 from the Saskatchewan Premier’s Walleye Cup, $50,000 from the Novak Family Foundation, and $200,000 from John Zales.

John Zales donated $200,000 of his own money for the cause (submitted photo/Town of Nipawin)

Brons added that she is grateful for all that have come together to try and make the project a reality, and for those who have continued to support the families of that Broncos team.

“It’s great to have the people in the area be pushing forward for this because the costs are high to have it put in, but it’ll be a secure and safe area for STARS to land there, and it’s great to see that they’re doing such a great job at raising money. The people in the area are being very generous and the different RMS and communities coming together to work together is great,” she told northeastNOW.

“Thank you to everybody in the area for everything that they’ve done for Humboldt and Broncos families, we continue to appreciate everybody’s support and all the work that’s been done on behalf of the Bronco families to help other people in the community. This will be a great addition to the Nipawin area and it’ll definitely make a difference in transporting the patients that need to be transported by STARS.”

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